To think my universal credit feels generous.

[MoonBaby1]

I got to my early 40s without ever needing to claim but circumstances find me single and paying the lions share of child related outgoings.

I work full time on£31,000 and have found out this year thanks to applying that I get on average about £800 from UC. It has been an absolute life changer and will hopefully be able to afford a modest uk holiday actually during the summer holidays and pay the school back some debt im in for after school care.

So many benefits bashing threads so I just wanted to present another side that as a cash strapped mum of two who works full time, UC is making a positive difference to our life. I didn't even think id qualify!

OP indicated their father is stingy.

Now, why on earth would you have two kids with a man like this?

Critical thinking really has escaped us.

Well, I hope she finds one and bloody well enjoys it. Her kid's lives have been turned upside down.

Typical on here to blame the woman for her choices.

Look, she applied for UC, got it, and it has improved her life a little. That is good news. We need a lot more of that in the world right now.
This bucket of crabs mentality on here is depressing.

Well, I hope she enjoys it, too.

Bragging about her handouts while we have kids visiting food banks every day.

That is nothing to do with her, and not her problem either. Stop trying to guilt her.

I am not blaming her; I implied it's not wise.

I am thrilled UC added value to her life, but do not play the 'struggle' mentality.

Maybe I should have specified primary school teacher. The vast majority of primary schools won’t pay above Main Pay Scale these days as they can’t afford to. The top of that scale is £45,353. After a degree and 20 years. I don’t believe my job is easier than a secondary school teacher, but here we are.

all the poster saying it’s 60k for both parents eh thwts not how it works if separated.

plus why the hell should women or men stay in shitty marriages
as for saying maintenance should be taken in to account thank fuck that got stopped cos kids were in poverty big time cos of mainly feckless fathers not paying their dues

also the ones saying those on UC don’t get sanctioned yesh they do repeatedly for stupid things too and usually out of their control.

Oh now we’re at the victim blaming here

Victim blaming?

😂

Sanctioned for not applying for jobs?

Okay ....

Yep, it is also not how it works if you are a couple and don't live together either.
DWP only care about who you share a household with.

If maintenance was counted, then any payments from family would have to be too. Get a tenner from your aunt for your birthday? Considered income for UC.

It victim blaming when they could have had a happy marriage right up to the split hence 2 kids your implying other wise that this is her fault.

OP said the father was stingy throughout their relationship.

Do you think it's a good idea to have multiple kids with a miserly man?

Did you not read what I wrote things out with their control, jobs they apply for plenty of them. But being late or even not dressed correctly was another gets you sanctioned I kid you not see stupid things out with their control.

Would you like to show me that cos she didn’t she said he pays some maintenance cos he also a low earner

@BlueFahrenheit

And just to clarify, I’m not in London but a 3-bed semi costs upwards of £500k where I live. I don’t know why anyone would become a primary school teacher now.

Are you trying to rage bait people?

It really sounds like excuses.

Spoken like someone who has not had to deal with the Job Centre. Lucky you.

People get told to apply for jobs they are in no way able to do.. think applying for jobs that need an HGV license when the jobseeker does not even have a driving license. It is a waste of their time, and wastes the employers time too.

I lurk on the benefits subReddits. There was a poster who was sanctioned for not turning up to an appointment that they had short notice for. You are meant to be given 48 hours notice.
People sanctioned for not turning up to an appointment when they were actually admitted to hospital.
People sanctioned for leaving a job they found toxic and was affecting their health.
Someone was sanctioned because they were struggling to find work in their rural location, and also were sent to a job centre miles away when there was one closer they could have gone to.
Sanctioned for not applying for jobs when they had one lined up and were due to start in 2 weeks anyway.

I could go on.

And those sanctions are removing money from people who are getting a meagre £94pw anyway... that has to pay for everything (AFAIK they are not allowed to sanction housing element).

Sanctions do not work. Starving people does not magic up a job for them.

Add to that the humiliation some people suffer from their work coaches. I was lucky. Mine was really lovely, but some are bloody awful. There are grown adults pushed to tears, talked down to and treated like shit on a shoe for being unemployed and needing money to pay the bills and eat... and the amount they get does not even cover that for most people.

You’ve never been in a job centre have you cos you’ve no Damn clue.

What's the solution? The system is too flexible.

You're right, dear.

I work.

Haha! Flexible?

Leave your job on Monday. Got to the Job Centre with your hand out if you think it is that easy. You will be sanctioned for leaving your job and get no money at all for months. Even if you are eligible.. you have to wait 5 weeks. There is a hardship payment that is actually a loan... and you will get a food bank referral.

Until you are suddenly not able to. you are not immune to that. No one is.